100 Fun Facts About Gossip Girl

In the finale, whose final chapter, run in Nate's newspaper, reveals them as Gossip Girl?

Dan Humphrey's last chapter runs in Nate's paper, and the finale cuts to every character's phone buzzing as they learn the blogger had been among them all along.

Which elite private academy do the show's female leads attend?

The Constance Billard School for Girls and its brother school, St. Jude's School for Boys, were the primary educational settings for the core group of Upper East Siders.

Nate Archibald's mother Anne belonged to which historical American family?

Vanderbilt: Nate's mother Anne is a van der Bilt, the show's thinly veiled Vanderbilt dynasty; his father Howard 'the Captain' Archibald is jailed for fraud and embezzlement.

What is the name of Blair's loyal and often insightful maid?

Dorota Kishlovsky was Blair's beloved and trusted maid, often acting as her confidante and accomplice in many schemes.

Which Manhattan property does Chuck buy in season 3?

Chuck buys The Empire Hotel in season three, and it becomes the stage for many of his business and personal dealings.

Which actress turned down the recurring role that eventually went to Michelle Trachtenberg?

Mischa Barton, fresh off The O.C., passed on the role of Georgina Sparks; Michelle Trachtenberg took it and played her from season 1 through the series finale.

What are the full first and middle names of Dan's younger sister, better known by a nickname?

Jennifer Tallulah Humphrey is Jenny's full name, carried over from the original novels, where she is the youngest main character at fourteen.

How many episodes did the original Gossip Girl series air on The CW?

Gossip Girl aired 121 episodes on The CW, the last of them on December 17, 2012.

On Gossip Girl, what is the title of Dan Humphrey's thinly veiled tell-all novel about his Upper East Side friends?

Someone publishes Inside before Dan even finds out; a re-enacted scene from the book is what later convinces Blair that he has loved her for some time.

Which actress narrates as the anonymous blogger throughout the original series?

Bell's narration is uncredited, and she finally appears on camera as herself in the series finale.

Which British post-punk band released the song 'Nate Will Not Return' in 2011?

The Fall, Mark E. Smith's band, put 'Nate Will Not Return' on its 2011 album Ersatz GB; Smith said the song was about Gossip Girl's Nate Archibald.

In season 4, a scheme by Juliet lands Serena in which treatment facility?

The Ostroff Center: Juliet drugs Serena and has her committed there in season 4; the same clinic had treated Serena's brother after his suicide attempt in season 1.

Who wrote the young adult novel series that the original *Gossip Girl* television show is based on?

The popular *Gossip Girl* television series is based on the young adult novel series of the same name, written by Cecily von Ziegesar.

On Gossip Girl, Dan's oldest friend Vanessa Abrams returns to New York in season one after living in which New England state?

She had moved to Vermont, and comes back to find Dan dating Serena; the two friends spend the next four seasons circling each other.

Where does Nate go to college later in the series?

Columbia: Nate starts at Columbia University in season 3, and Blair and Serena both enroll there in season 4, making the campus a main setting.

Who appoints herself Dan's manager in season 6, shopping his tell-all chapters around?

Georgina Sparks appoints herself Dan's manager in season 6, shopping his scandalous chapters about each friend to magazines and relishing the fallout.

Gossip Girl's fourth season opened with two episodes filmed in which European capital?

Paris hosted the 2010 season-four opener, with locations including the Sorbonne, the Musée d'Orsay and the Gare du Nord before the show settled back in Manhattan.

Which New York City mayor proclaimed 'Gossip Girl Day' in honor of the show's 100th episode?

Bloomberg visited the set on January 26, 2012, and later turned up in the finale reacting to the big reveal.

In the finale, which signature accessory did the costume designer put back on Blair?

The headband: costume designer Eric Daman put Blair back in her signature headband for the finale and gave Chuck his scarf back, the two accessories that defined their early-season looks.

In which New York City borough do Dan and his family live at the start of the series?

Brooklyn: the Humphreys' loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was a world away from the Manhattan penthouses of Dan's classmates, a contrast the show leaned on constantly.

How many seasons did the original Gossip Girl series run for?

Six seasons: Gossip Girl ran on The CW for six seasons, ending in December 2012 with a sixth-season finale that unmasked the blogger.

Which real Manhattan nightspot stood in for Chuck's burlesque club, Victrola?

The Box has a sister club in London's Soho; the episode itself is named after the musical Victor/Victoria.

What is the first name of Serena's younger brother?

Eric van der Woodsen is Serena's sensitive younger brother, whose storylines often dealt with personal struggles and his identity.

After her dream school turns her down, where does Blair enroll for freshman year?

NYU: after Yale rescinds her acceptance, Blair starts at NYU, where her stepfather Cyrus pulled strings; a miserable freshman year later she transfers uptown and learns Chuck arranged it.

What nickname is Jenny known by during her early years on the show?

Little J: Gossip Girl tags Jenny as 'Little J' from her freshman year as Blair's eager protégée; season 2 charts her rebellion against that role.

Which character is known for being a former rock star and owning an art gallery?

Rufus Humphrey fronted the 1990s band Lincoln Hawk and runs a Brooklyn art gallery; his old flame Lily van der Woodsen keeps pulling him back uptown.

In a web spin-off, Blair's maid is revealed to secretly hold which noble title?

Countess: the 2009 web series Chasing Dorota reveals Blair's maid as a Polish countess who fled an arranged marriage to come to America.

Which actor portrays Nate, the golden-boy legacy student at St. Jude's?

Crawford's Nate is romantically linked to both Blair and Serena over the years and ends the series poised to run for mayor.

Which Manhattan hotel, owned by Chuck's father, is the Bass family's home early in the series?

The real New York Palace on Madison Avenue also supplied its bar, Gilt, for Serena and Blair's drinks in the pilot.

On Gossip Girl, which career does Dan's younger sister Jenny Humphrey pursue, starting with an internship at Blair's mother's company?

Fashion designer is the dream: Jenny interns at Blair's mother's label, skips school for fashion shows and eventually tries launching her own line.

Which character fakes his death in the series?

Chuck's father, Bart Bass, faked his death in Season 2 to escape his enemies, only to reappear in Season 5.

What is the first name of Blair's mother, who runs her own fashion label?

Her label, Eleanor Waldorf Designs, later gives Jenny her first industry internship.

Which character does Sebastian Stan portray in the series?

Sebastian Stan played the recurring role of Carter Baizen, a socialite with a troubled past who often crossed paths with the main group.

What is the name of the baby Georgina leaves with Dan at the start of season 4?

Milo: Georgina faked a paternity test to get Dan's name on the birth certificate, then vanished and left him holding baby Milo.

What is the maiden name of Lily van der Woodsen?

Lily's maiden name is Rhodes, and her past as Lily Rhodes is explored through her family connections, including her mother CeCe and sister Carol.

Which actress played Vanessa Abrams on Gossip Girl?

Jessica Szohr played Vanessa Abrams, Dan's Brooklyn friend and sometime girlfriend, from season 1 until leaving the main cast after season 4.

Which actress was set to star in a planned film of the Gossip Girl novels before it became a TV series instead?

Lindsay Lohan was attached, with Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino making the film; when it stalled, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage turned the books into a series.

Which royal does Blair marry in season 5?

Prince Louis Grimaldi of Monaco marries Blair in season 5's 100th episode; the loveless match ends when a dowry is paid to the Grimaldis to release her.

How does Chuck's father meet his end in the final season?

A rooftop argument with Chuck ends with Bart going over the edge, the second and final time the show killed him off.

Ivy Dickens was hired to pose as Serena's cousin in order to gain access to what?

A trust fund: Ivy Dickens, a struggling actress, was hired by Serena's aunt Carol to pose as her daughter Charlie Rhodes so Carol could tap Charlie's trust fund.

Which actor played Nate's political-kingmaker grandfather, William van der Bilt?

James Naughton played William van der Bilt, the grandfather who pushes Nate toward politics; Naughton won Tony Awards for City of Angels and Chicago.

In what year did the original 'Gossip Girl' series first premiere?

The original 'Gossip Girl' series premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007.

Under what name does Georgina introduce herself to Dan in Central Park in season 1?

Sarah: Georgina introduces herself to Dan as 'Sarah' in Central Park in season 1 and worms into his circle until Serena recognises and exposes her.

Which newspaper is Nate running by the time of the series finale?

The Spectator: Nate runs the New York Spectator as its editor, and with the paper flourishing the finale hints he is about to run for mayor of New York.

Which Baldwin brother had a recurring Gossip Girl role as a doctor?

William Baldwin played Dr. William van der Woodsen from season 3, when he fakes Lily's illness in a plot to win her back.

Serena van der Woodsen's mysterious year away before the Gossip Girl pilot was spent at a boarding school in which state?

Her return from a Connecticut boarding school is the pilot's opening blast, and the real reason she fled turns out to involve a death she thought she had caused.

Which sign-off closes every Gossip Girl blog post?

'XOXO, Gossip Girl' closes every post, following the blogger's catchphrase 'You know you love me'; Kristen Bell voices the sign-off in each episode.

What does Chuck confide to Dan about his mother while the two are stuck in jail?

She died giving birth to him: Chuck tells Dan his mother died in childbirth, the guilt behind Bart's coldness; season 3 muddies this with Elizabeth Fisher claiming to be his living mother.

What is the name of Chuck and Blair's son in the finale's flash-forward?

Henry: the finale's five-year flash-forward introduces Chuck and Blair's son Henry Bass, as the whole gang gathers for Dan and Serena's wedding.

Which character is portrayed by Taylor Momsen?

Jenny Humphrey: Taylor Momsen played Dan's sister Jenny from the pilot, leaving after season 4 to front the rock band The Pretty Reckless.

Which role did Ed Westwick first read for before being asked to try a different one?

Nate: Ed Westwick first auditioned for Nate Archibald before producers asked the English actor to read for Chuck Bass, the part he won.

Blake Lively first turned down the role of Serena because she planned to do what?

Attend college: Blake Lively initially said no to Serena because she wanted to go to college, signing on after producers promised she could study part-time while filming.

Ed Westwick modelled Chuck's American accent on which sitcom character?

Carlton Banks: Westwick said he based Chuck's American accent on Alfonso Ribeiro's preppy Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Kristen Bell's narration followed her heavy voice-over work on which series?

Veronica Mars: Bell had narrated three seasons of Veronica Mars on UPN and The CW; her Gossip Girl casting was announced at the CW's May 2007 upfronts as that show ended.

Which building's exterior stood in for the Constance Billard–St. Jude's school?

Museum of the City of New York: its Fifth Avenue exterior stood in for Constance Billard–St. Jude's; the fictional school was modelled on Nightingale-Bamford, author Cecily von Ziegesar's alma mater.

In Cecily von Ziegesar's novels, which school does Dan Humphrey attend?

Riverside Prep: in the novels Dan Humphrey attends Riverside Prep, not St. Jude's; the TV series instead enrolled him at St. Jude's alongside Nate and Chuck.

The first two episodes of season 5 were filmed in which city?

Los Angeles: season 5 opened with two episodes shot in Los Angeles, where Serena was working as a film producer's assistant and Chuck and Nate dropped in after a summer travelling.

Which wireless carrier supplied the characters' phones under a product-placement deal?

Verizon: every character carried a Verizon Wireless phone under a placement deal that also let fans download ringtones of songs heard on the show.

Which drink brand's season 2 placement deal helped fund the Hamptons location shoot?

VitaminWater: a season 2 product-placement deal with Glacéau's VitaminWater helped pay for the Hamptons location shoot, with bottles conspicuous in the summer opener.

An episode title puns on which Pedro Almodóvar film?

All About My Mother: episode 1x16 'All About My Brother' puns on Almodóvar's 1999 film; nearly every Gossip Girl title riffs on a film or novel, from 'The Wild Brunch' to 'Easy J'.

'The Age of Dissonance' puns on a novel by which author?

Edith Wharton: 'The Age of Dissonance' (2x18) puns on her novel The Age of Innocence, which the seniors stage as a school play in that episode.

After the 2007–08 writers' strike, the show moved from Wednesdays to which night?

Mondays: when the show returned in April 2008 it moved to Monday nights and stayed there through the finale, paired with 90210 and later Hart of Dixie.

In the pilot, a flashback shows Serena and Nate having sex on the bar of which venue?

The Campbell Apartment: the pilot's flashback puts Serena and Nate on the bar of the Campbell Apartment, the cocktail lounge inside Grand Central Terminal.

How many episodes did the strike-shortened first season end up with?

18: the 2007–08 writers' strike cut season 1 to 18 episodes, ending with 'Much I Do About Nothing' in May 2008.

Who plays influencer Julien Calloway in the 2021 HBO Max sequel?

Jordan Alexander plays Julien Calloway, the influencer queen bee of the 2021 HBO Max sequel; Whitney Peak plays her half-sister Zoya Lott.

In the 2021 sequel, who is secretly running the revived Gossip Girl account?

English teacher Kate Keller finds Dan's old blog in the first episode and relaunches it on Instagram to rein in her students.

The HBO Max sequel is set how many years after the original series?

Nine: the 2021 HBO Max sequel is set nine years after the original Gossip Girl site went dark, following a new generation of Constance Billard students.

Which country produced the first foreign adaptation of Gossip Girl, in 2010?

Turkey: Küçük Sırlar ('Little Secrets'), the 2010–11 Turkish adaptation, was the first foreign remake, relocating the story to Istanbul's wealthy set.

Which singer voiced the blogger in the Mexican remake Gossip Girl: Acapulco?

Paty Cantú voiced the anonymous blogger in Gossip Girl: Acapulco, the 2013 Mexican adaptation filmed in the Guerrero resort city.

Where do Chuck and Blair finally marry in the series finale?

Bethesda Fountain: Chuck and Blair wed in a rush at Central Park's Bethesda Fountain, with Cyrus officiating, so Blair cannot be compelled to testify about Bart's fall.

Which actress played Lily van der Woodsen, Serena's mother?

Kelly Rutherford played Lily van der Woodsen for the show's entire run; Margaret Colin played Eleanor Waldorf and Caroline Lagerfelt played Lily's mother CeCe.

What does Chuck name the dog he is given in season 5?

Monkey: Chuck names the dog Monkey, a nod to the novels, where he carries around a pet snow monkey called Sweetie.

Who gets Chuck a dog to jolt him out of his emotional numbness in season 5?

Dan: worried by Chuck's numbness, Dan gives him the dog, kicking off a reluctant bromance; the same season Dan secretly writes Louis's wedding vows to Blair.

Which Harry Potter actress played Eva, the woman who nurses Chuck back to health?

Clémence Poésy, Harry Potter's Fleur Delacour, played Eva Coupeau for four season 4 episodes; Blair's digging exposed Eva's past as a prostitute, which Chuck forgave.

In which city is Chuck shot by muggers in the season 3 finale?

Prague: the season 3 finale ends with Chuck shot by muggers in Prague after refusing to hand over the engagement ring he had meant for Blair.

Which British actress played media mogul Diana Payne in season 5?

Elizabeth Hurley played Diana Payne, who briefly claimed to be Chuck's biological mother, a story that turned out to be cover for Bart being alive.

Which Melrose Place alum played Juliet Sharp, the girlfriend of Nate out to ruin Serena?

Katie Cassidy, from the 2009 Melrose Place revival, played Juliet Sharp, whose brother Ben had been Serena's boarding-school teacher, jailed on an affidavit Lily forged in Serena's name.

Hilary Duff guest-starred in season 3 as which movie star who dates Dan?

Olivia Burke: Hilary Duff's movie star dates Dan in season 3 and rooms with Vanessa at NYU, and an awkward threesome among the three ends the romance.

Armie Hammer's con man Gabriel Edwards is secretly still with which socialite?

Poppy Lifton: Gabriel was secretly in a relationship with Poppy all along, and the pair used Serena to fleece Lily's guests with a fake investment scheme; Georgina later recovered the money.

Which pop star does Blair scramble to book for an NYU showcase in season 3?

Lady Gaga: Blair hustles to land Lady Gaga for a Tisch showcase in 3x10 'The Last Days of Disco Stick', where Gaga performs 'Bad Romance' as herself.

Which band played the Constance Billard alumni party in the season 4 finale?

The Airborne Toxic Event played 'Changing', from their album All at Once, at the Constance alumni party in the season 4 finale, which also featured a cameo by author Cecily von Ziegesar.

What is Cyrus Rose's signature catchphrase?

"Not enough!" is Cyrus's cry whenever a hug is too brief, a habit that initially horrifies his future stepdaughter Blair when Eleanor brings him home in season 2.

Blair says meeting Cyrus was like expecting Cary Grant and getting whom?

Danny DeVito: Blair grumbles that she expected Cary Grant and got Danny DeVito on meeting Eleanor's short, effusive new boyfriend Cyrus Rose, played by Wallace Shawn.

What does Harold Waldorf name the bulldog he gives Blair?

Handsome Dan: on a Thanksgiving visit from France in season 2, Harold gives Blair a bulldog named Handsome Dan, after Yale's mascot; Blair trims it to 'Handsome'.

Which actor plays Blair's father, Harold Waldorf?

John Shea played Harold Waldorf, Blair's father, who leaves Eleanor for a man named Roman and moves to France; Wallace Shawn played her stepfather Cyrus.

What does Dorota name the daughter she gives birth to in the season 3 finale?

Anastasia: Dorota's labour in the season 3 finale is why Blair arrives hours late to meet Chuck at the Empire State Building, with disastrous results.

What job does Vanya, Dorota's husband, hold at the van der Woodsens' building?

Doorman: Vanya is the doorman at the van der Woodsens' building, where his courtship of Dorota plays out before their season 3 wedding.

In which borough does Cyrus buy Dorota and Vanya an apartment?

Queens: as a wedding present in season 3, Cyrus buys Dorota and Vanya an apartment in Queens so they can start their family there.

In which California town does Lily's mother CeCe live?

Montecito: CeCe Rhodes lives in Montecito, California, from where she descends on Lily's family; she once pushed Lily to choose her inheritance over Rufus.

Who is named the heir to CeCe's estate after her death in season 5?

Ivy Dickens: CeCe's will leaves her estate to Ivy, and it emerges CeCe had known all along that her 'granddaughter' was an impostor and left it to her anyway.

Which duchess does Nate have an affair with in the Hamptons in season 2?

Catherine Beaton, the Duchess Nate sleeps with in season 2's Hamptons opener, pays his family's debts until Blair exposes her affair with her stepson Marcus.

Jack Bass ran the family company's operations in which country before Bart died?

Australia: Jack ran Bass Industries' Australian operations from Sydney; after Bart's death he became Chuck's guardian, tried to steal the company, and was sent back after attacking Lily.

Jenny's drug-dealing boyfriend Damien Dalgaard is the son of which country's ambassador?

Belgium: Damien Dalgaard is the Belgian ambassador's son, dealing pills out of embassy parties; Jenny even sewed his drugs into a dress's paillettes for a fashion event.

In season 5, Rufus reveals Jenny has moved to London to attend which school?

Central Saint Martins: in season 5 Rufus says Jenny is studying at Central Saint Martins in London, having been banished from Manhattan by Blair after sleeping with Chuck.

Which Pretty Reckless single was the last song heard in the series finale?

"Kill Me": The Pretty Reckless's single closes the series finale; Taylor Momsen's band released it on December 11, 2012, six days before the episode aired.

Ed Westwick's punk band, which had two songs on the show, was called what?

The Filthy Youth: Westwick's band, formed in 2006 and inspired by the Stones and The Doors, placed 'Come Flash All You Ladies' and 'Orange' in a season 1 episode.

What is Leighton Meester's natural hair colour, which she changed to audition as Blair?

Blonde: Meester is naturally blonde and dyed her hair brown to audition as Blair, keeping it dark for the role.

Who played the young Lily in the season 2 spin-off pilot set in 1980s California?

Brittany Snow played young Lily Rhodes in 'Valley Girls', the 1983-set backdoor pilot; Krysten Ritter played her sister Carol, and the CW never picked the spin-off up.

Showrunner Joshua Safran left after season 5 to run which NBC series?

Smash: Safran left after season 5 to run NBC's musical drama Smash in its second season; Sara Goodman ran Gossip Girl's final season, and Safran later created the HBO Max sequel.

Costume designer Eric Daman had assisted Patricia Field on which earlier series?

Sex and the City: Eric Daman was Patricia Field's assistant costume designer on that HBO series before dressing Gossip Girl's Upper East Siders.